A historic perspective 2: Scent, Sound, and Space in the extinct Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) in Israel

What is it about?

The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), once native to Israel, is now locally extinct. This study examines communication behaviors in five radio-collared individuals monitored over four years in the Judean Desert. Using GPS telemetry, direct observations, and surveys, we documented olfactory, vocal, and visual signals in an arid, topographically complex landscape. Scrape marking was the most frequent chemical signal, with a preference for vegetated sites—likely enhancing scent longevity and reducing detection by non-target species. Marking intensity increased during female estrus. Roaring occurred mainly at night and was linked to mating or territorial interactions. Rare visual behaviors such as cheek rubbing and tree clawing may play secondary roles in communication. These findings mirror patterns in other solitary big cats, where indirect signals help maintain social structure. Although the Arabian leopard is extirpated in Israel, our results offer rare insight into its behavioral ecology and inform conservation planning for remaining populations. Protecting habitats and movement corridors is vital to sustaining natural communication systems and long-term population viability.

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